Hello, so here’s my story.  At the end of last year - New Year’s Eve 2017 as I was sitting on a balcony in North India with one of my best friends - Mich and a group of other ever so nice Jersey folk, I decided that this was going to be be the last night (and possibly day depending on how long the night went on for) that I had an alcoholic  beverage for. I wasn’t sure how long and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do it. 

This is going to be a massive challenge (although I don’t drink often, when I do, I do it well and I do like a party or 2)! With the summer sun now out for good this will be a real test as even one drink is out of the question! So no more sunny ciders (thatchers haze being one of my favourites).

The two charities I have chosen to raise money for are Stroke Association and Mind Jersey. Stroke Association became a lot more known to me when one of my immediate family suffered with a stroke last year. This was all very sudden and something I wasn’t quite prepared for. The thought of losing someone who you see as strong and the one to take care of the family is shocking. I have no words to describe how I felt. Seeing someone reduced to a hospital bed and become reliant on everyone around them was not something I was prepared for. Luckily with the help of the amazing hospital staff and charity Stroke Association they were able to get back up on their feet and be every so lucky as to not suffer any side effects. I can’t thank everyone enough for the help and support we received so this is why I would like to give a little bit back.

My second charity - Mind Jersey. Being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease February this year has had a massive effect on my mental state. From me thinking I was a pretty healthy person to finding out I have a terminal illness has been quite hard to accept. As many of you may know I am slightly (ok maybe a bit more) into my health and fitness, however we cannot have one without the other - healthy body and a healthy mind. Today a lot of the focus is on getting that healthy body but we forget our minds are just as important. Crohn’s Disease has effected my life completely, I’m on about 15 lots of medication a day, I plan my life around toilets, going somewhere can depend on if a toilet is available, I get embarrassed when I am constantly back and forth to the toilet, panic and shaky if I am meeting new people who don’t know (I don’t want to be blurting this out but sometimes I feel like I have to to calm myself down), making incorrect food choices can cause chronic stabbing pains leaving me feeling exhausted and having no energy. I constantly feel fatigued as my body is working overtime and trying to attack itself. I’m a massive lover of cheesecake and can no longer eat this, even things like raw veg and all the healthy things I used to eat are off limits. Going out for meals is such a scary task, having to often pick from the side dishes and ask for them not to be cooked in oil. I constantly feel bloated and all this can occur even if I have stuck to a strict diet. To make things worse another side affect is boils on my skin which have completely knock my confidence to the point I don’t want to leave the house or be seen. Another factor which has really affected me is not being able to run. Running is my passion and it is so good for the mind. Getting up before work when the sun is rising, feeling the sea air on my face as I run down past Harve Des Pas, hearing the birds and seeing the roads quiet is the best feeling in the world, it’s just you and the outside. As I am currently injured this has not been great timing for me finding out about Crohn’s so has also left me feeling very low. Furthermore, I also have someone very close to me who suffers from clinical depression, seeing this first hand has really opened my eyes to what each day can be like and the struggles that go on. The feeling of just want to hide away but then feeling so lonely is so conflicting but couldn’t be more true. Wanting to socialise but the thought of being around people is too nervy to think about. Being scared of everything. Having so many emotions but feeling numb inside. So many conflicting feelings that go through someone’s head is shocking but it happens and we need to help and be supportive of each other. I’ve seen close friends struggle and the battle they go though and it’s heartbreaking.

I think everyone has a battle, you just never know what their battle is. We need to be kind to each other and ourselves.

Do one thing each day to help someone. Something as little as saying ‘you look nice’ can have such a positive effect.

I’m going to make it my goal to smile or say hello to everyone I walk past. Maybe I’ll start with smiles and build up to hello!

Please feel free to donate as little as you want, it all helps and it all adds up.

I shall keep you posted with how my journey goes and also give anyone updates on which soft drinks are the best ;)

Peace out and much love xxx